Cyril and Methodius, the saints in our calendar today,  are called  “Apostles to the Slavic Peoples,” because they played a pivotal role in introducing  Christianity to Eastern Europe in the 9th century.

They were brothers, born and educated in Greece, who embraced monastic life.  Renowned linguists, masters of the Slavonic language from a young age,  they were enlisted by the Emperor Michael III, who received a request from  Prince Radisalay of Moravia for teachers to explain Christianity to his people in their native language. 

As they began their work, Cyril and Methodius became convinced the Slavic people would best comprehend the scriptures and the liturgy in their own language and written in their own alphabet. Their translations resonated deeply with the people and were immensely popular.

The two brothers faced opposition,  however,  from Frankish missionaries from the west who, concerned with expanding  their own political influence, vehemently opposed  the establishment of a native Slavic church. They alleged the  “trilingual heretical doctrine,” which asserted that only three languages—Hebrew, Greek, and Latin—were permissible for praising God. 

In 867, the two brothers, Cyril and Methodius, embarked on a journey to Rome seeking papal support for their missionary endeavors. Pope Adrian II, recognizing the significance of their work,  granted their request and approved the use of the Slavonic language in religious ceremonies. The Slavonic Books were placed on the altar of the Church of St. Mary Major, and the liturgy was conducted in the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul in Slavonic.

Tragically, Cyril fell ill and passed away on February 14, 869, in Rome, where he was laid to rest in the Church of San Clemente. The following year Methodius returned to Moravia and Pannonia (present-day Hungary) and faced renewed opposition from Frankish missionaries. Despite the challenges, he persevered in his work, translating the scriptures, developing the liturgy, and creating the Cyrillic alphabet, which remains widely used today.

In 1980, Pope John Paul II honored the contributions of Cyril and Methodius by naming them patrons of Europe.

In June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI reflecting on the legacy of Cyril and Methodius, called them exemplars of “inculturation.” He emphasized the importance of integrating religion  into a culture and expressing it in the local language, acknowledging the demanding nature of this process. The Pope underscored the need for “translation” to ensure the integrity and accuracy of conveying the profound message of the revealed word.

Cyril and Methodius’s story serves also as a reminder that politics can play a role in the inculturation process. In Mark’s Gospel, tomorrow, Jesus warns his disciples to be vigilant and cautious against the influence of the Pharisees and Herod. He advises them to be wary of the dangers that arise from religious and political ideologies.